Frequently Asked Questions – AMBULATORY

Updated 11.7.14

Please note the information below is current as of the posted date. As new information is available, some of the procedures detailed below may change. Please check back regurlarly for updated information.

PERSONAL SAFETY OF THE HEALTH CARE TEAMPlease note the information below is current as of the posted date. As new information is available, some of the procedures detailed below may change. Please check back regularly for updated information.

1. What is the hospital doing for the outpatient area given the PPE recommendations issued by the CDC?
The new PPE recommendations are intended for caregivers who will be providing direct care to the infected patient in the patient’s room. Therefore, there is no update or change to the recommended PPE for ambulatory areas. Back to top

SCREENING1. What do we do if a patient/family members states he/she has traveled to the indicated countries in the past 21 days —- only to say yes in hopes of getting seen faster in clinic?
We must follow the screening protocol for any and all patients who screen positive for travel, even if that information is determined to be false or incorrect. Back to top

2. When will the EPIC screening forms be available?
These are built and are going through the approval process before being finalized and placed into production. Back to top

3. If patients screen positive for travel but have negative symptoms, do we notify health department?
If a patient screens positive for travel but is asymptomatic, Infection Control will be notified and will direct all activities, including notifications to the health department if appropriate. Back to top

4. What is the process we should follow for telephone screening?
This process is currently being finalized and will be shared with all impacted staff once complete. Back to top

5. Pavilion 5 South has outpatient pediatrics – do they follow the screening process?
Yes, all points of entry will follow the established screening protocols. Back to top

6. Do we take temps for family members/parents accompanying the patient?
If a patient or the accompanying family member screens positive for travel, they will be isolated per the ambulatory protocol. At this point, Infection Control will be notified and will direct all activities including additional screening steps. Back to top

OPERATIONS1. In ambulatory, clinic rooms used for isolation do not have bathrooms. What is the process should isolated patients need toilet facilities?
There is no intention of keeping patients in the isolation rooms in the ambulatory areas for a lengthy period of time. However, if there is a bathroom need for an isolated patient, Infection Control will direct staff on how to handle on a case-by-case basis. Back to top

2. What do we do for non-English speakers?
You should contact a language services representative to assist in communicating with this patient and family in-person. If this service is unavailable to you, you can use the conference call function on an identified telephone to engage in a three-way conversation with language services and the family. Back to top

3. Is there a Cost Center for Ebola supplies?
Please use your regular clinical operations cost center for any additional screening supply charges related to Ebola preparedness. Back to top

4. If the front desk person wants to self-quarantine, what is our organizational response? Will we allow? Are we paying for this “time off”?
Texas Children’s Hospital has not established a quarantine period because Ebola is not contagious and cannot be transmitted unless symptoms are present. There is no risk of transmission to other patients, visitors, or your coworkers if you do not have symptoms such as fever. However, specific situations will be reviewed by department leadership, Employee Health, Employee Relations, and Infection Control as appropriate. Back to top

EDUCATION AND EBOLA UPDATES​1. How is the communication to the ambulatory chiefs (medical and surgical and adult) going to be handled?
Drs. Kline, Belfort, and Fraser have multiple forums in which they are communicating with physician leaders in their areas. In addition, hospital departmental leadership should be communicating directly with their physician partners. Back to top

2. How do we educate other patient families worried about their children being here in the case of a confirmed Ebola patient?
We will engage our leadership and communications team to properly educate other patient families without violating patient privacy rules. Back to top

3. How can I stay abreast of what we are doing at Texas Children’s regarding Ebola preparation, training, etc.?
We are committed to keeping everyone at Texas Children’s informed about our plans and developments in this ongoing situation. Please check Connect regularly for the most current, relevant information. We are posting stories and resources on the Connect intranet site and on the external Connect news site at www.texaschildrensnews.org, which is accessible from any computer or mobile device at any time. Other sources of information include the nursing blog (Voice of Nursing), as well as huddles and meetings with your leadership team. Back to top

4. What should I do if the media contacts or questions me?
Please do not respond to the media and refer all inquiries to Christy Brunton at 281-684-3184. Back to top

5. Who can I contact if I still have questions?
If you have questions about our plan or about Ebola, please email them to connectnews@texaschildrens.org. The communications team will route questions to the leaders of our response and readiness team to get answers and provide updated information to our organization. Back to top